The verb ‘be’ is different from all the other verbs in the present simple tense.

Here’s the positive form. 'Positive' means a normal sentence, not a negative or a question. This is sometimes called ‘affirmative’.

• I am cold.
• You are French.
• He is in the kitchen.
• She is hungry.
• It is Wednesday.
• We are late.
• They are on the train.

Next, here’s the negative. It’s very easy. You add ‘not’.

• I am not German.
• You are not on the phone.
• He is not late.
• She is not thirsty.
• It is not warm.
• We are not at home.
• They are not children.

Finally, let’s talk about the question form of the present simple with ‘be’. We make questions by putting the verb first, then putting the subject. This is called ‘inversion’.

Here’s the ‘yes / no’ question form.

• Am I late?
• Are you Italian?
• Is he at work?
• Is she hungry?
• Is it cold outside?
• Are we in the right place?
• Are they in the garden?

If you’d like to make a ‘wh’ question, you just put the question word (or phrase, like ‘how long’) at the front.

• Where am I?
• How are you?
• Why is he here?
• Who is she?
• What is it?
• When are we at home?
• How long are they in London?